Manitoba Premier on Bell MTS Deal: “You Get What You Pay For”

Share & comment

Manitoba Premier on Bell MTS Deal: “You Get What You Pay For”

Share & comment

Bell’s plan to acquire MTS for $3.9 billion in Manitoba has yet to be approved by regulators, but recent comments by the province’s Premier and BCE group president suggest prices could go up, based on the increase of quality services forthcoming.

BCE group president Wade Oosterman said “I think it’s way too early to speculate on (price changes). What I know with certainty is that quality will go up.”

Premier Brian Pallister noted “We’ve had cheaper, limited services. Now we get better service,” adding “you get what you pay for.”

The Premier is optimistic Bell and MTS will help bring coverage to dead zones in the province, citing the Vita region in the southeast an example, an area that has lacked communication infrastructure, a longstanding issue for first responders.

“I would make the case on the basis of public safety that we need to continue to expand our access to cell coverage around the province,” Pallister explained, noting the province was ready to pull out its cheque book to make it happen.

Opposition NDP leader Jim Maloway, a critic of the Bell MTS deal, said in a statement to the WFP “In jurisdictions with less competition — such as Toronto — cell phone rates are almost double the cost as in Manitoba.”

Share & comment

This is crazy. Manitoba will become Toronto is this deal goes through. And we won’t have a reason to complain that why prices are higher in rest of the provinces because Bell will raise prices in Manitoba as well. #MoneyHungryCorporations

Mohammed Al Sarraf

How much did Bell pay him?

It’s Me

Easy to say when the province is paying your bills. The premier is clearly an idiot. You’re bills will close to double. Your value will not.

toysandme

Premier: “you get what I’m paid for”

Jim

An I missing something… on the one hand they are going to “blanket Highway 75 with LTE wireless coverage” and on the other hand fine anyone who uses it while driving. Wouldn’t it be better to just cover designated texting areas and allow nothing but 911 calls along a highway?